Diversifying Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellowship
2026–2027 New Applicant Information
The Illinois Board of Higher Education has announced a 2026-2027 competition for the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellowship Program. This is a nine-month funding opportunity (Fall 26’ and Spring 27’).
Program Overview
Established by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law as Public Act 104-0437 (Public Act), the DFI Fellowship Program was developed to encourage students to enroll in and complete post-baccalaureate academic programs, thereby enhancing the diversity of faculty and staff at Illinois institutions of higher education. The DFI Fellowship provides financial assistance, based on demonstrated merit and financial need, to students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Public Act and the fellowship application, and who are pursuing full-time enrollment in graduate or professional degree programs at eligible Illinois public institutions of higher education.
All components of the application must be uploaded via the FY27’ UIC Graduate College DFI FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM .
Emailed applications and materials will not be accepted. All materials are due by Monday, April 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Please see additional details below.
Eligibility Overview
Citizenship & Residency
- ILLINOIS RESIDENCY: “Illinois resident” means any United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States who meets at least one of the following requirements:
- (1) has earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education authorized to operate in this State, OR
- (2) is a registered voter in this State and has lived in this State for a period of at least 3 years prior to applying for the DFI Fellowship.
- The status of Illinois residency of a student at the time of initial matriculation in the DFI shall hold for his
or her entire time in his or her graduate or professional study at the DFI institution.
Academic
- Unconditional Admission to a post-baccalaureate degree program (master’s, doctoral, or professional) at UIC.
- Minimum GPA:
- Undergraduate: 2.75 (last 60 hours)
- Graduate: 3.2 (at least 9 hours completed).
Financial
Demonstrated financial need via:
- The FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) showing Student Aid Index (SAI) via the 2025-26 FAFSA or 2026-27,
- Or An Illinois RISE Act/Alternative Application Report Summary, AND
- A Pell Grant Documentation: Obtain verification that the applicant received a Pell Grant as an undergraduate student at any point.
- UIC graduate students working as full-time Academic Professionals at UIC are ineligible for the DFI Fellowship.
Other
- Full-time enrollment during fellowship period (9+ Cr. Hrs.)
- Commitment to employment conditions outlined in the DFI Fellowship Program Act.
How to Apply
Start Here (Do not skip this step) ===>: FY27’ UIC Graduate College DFI FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM
ACCESS TO THE DFI APPLICATION SUBMISSION FORM – Access to the DFI Fellowship Application Submission Form is restricted to current UIC Students.
To log in to the DFI Fellowship Application Submission Form, YOU MUST USE YOUR OFFICIAL UIC EMAIL CREDENTIALS.
Emailed applications and materials will not be accepted.
All materials are due by Monday, April 13, 2026, by 5:00 PM. Please see additional details below.
Download, Complete, and Upload the DFI Fellowship Application and All of the Following Supporting Documents:
- 2027 Official DFI Fellowship Application
- Complete pages 9-14 and upload them to the UIC DFI Application Submission Form
- Official Letter of Admission (to the UIC degree program you are pursuing)
- Essay (300–500 words )
- Official Transcripts – Undergraduate & Graduate – sent directly to the applicant. Applicant uploads to the Submission Form.
- Submit the 2025-26 or 2026-27 FAFSA/RISE Financial Submission Summary (FSS) w/Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Pell Grant Documentation – Obtain proof that you received a Pell Grant at any point during undergraduate studies. (NEW REQUIREMENT). Use one of the following methods:
- StudentAid.gov Account: Log in with your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov. Navigate to the “My Aid” section to view your grant history, including Pell Grants. You can often print or screenshot this page for documentation, Or
- Financial Aid Award Letter: This letter from your college’s financial aid office details PELL GRANTS you’ve received, Or.
- Student Aid Index (SAI) Information Acknowledgment: This is the summary of your FAFSA application. It confirms your eligibility and award amount for a given year.
DOCUMENT UPLOAD NAMING CONVENTION NOTICE:
Adherence to the required naming conventions for your uploaded documents is MANDATORY. Failure to follow these guidelines will adversely affect the submission of your materials. Documents must be named in the following manner BEFORE they are uploaded to the application submission form: NAMING CONVENTION: YOUR FULL NAME _ NAME OF DOCUMENT
Examples: JOHN DOE_SIGNED FY26 DFI APPLICATION
JOHN DOE_LETTER OF ADMISSION
JOHN DOE_ESSAY
JOHN DOE_UNDERGRAD TRANSCRIPT
JOHN DOE_2026 FAFSA/SAI
JOHN DOE_PELL DOCUMENT
7. Letters of Professional Recommendation: List the names and emails of the three (3) recommenders on the Form. (YOU MUST SHARE A SEPARATE RECOMMENDERS LINK WITH FACULTY/Professionals) copy-> https://forms.gle/1Bo6vKtpmotoPDzG7
DOCUMENT NAMING CONVENTION FOR FACULTY LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (LOR)
Recommenders: Please name the document in the following manner BEFORE it is uploaded to the recommendation submission form:
STUDENT FULL NAME _ LOR _FACULTY FULL NAME
Monitor Your Email
The UIC Graduate College will confirm receipt and notify you of any missing items. Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to IBHE.
Contact Information
For questions or assistance:
Dr. Lunaire D. Ford – Institutional Representative, UIC DFI Fellowship – UIC Graduate College
Email: lford@uic.edu
Phone: (312) 413-2556
Download - FY27' DFI Fellowship Application
Please see below for helpful links.